FRI 29 - 3 - 2024
 
Date: Dec 18, 2019
Source: The Daily Star

Folder: Corruption
Kuwait forms new govt after graft allegations
Agence France Presse
KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s new prime minister unveiled his Cabinet Tuesday, changing key ministers after accusations of corruption and infighting forced the previous government to resign. The old Cabinet stepped down a month ago after the defense minister alleged that nearly $800 million had been stolen from a military aid fund.

Soon afterward the emir appointed Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khaled Al-Sabah as prime minister and tasked him with forming a new government.

The new 15-member Cabinet, the ninth in the past eight years in the oil-rich Gulf state, saw changes at the top of all the key ministries.

Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Mohammad Al-Sabah, son of a former premier, was appointed foreign minister.

Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Sabah was appointed defense minister, replacing the emir’s eldest son Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who brought the corruption charges to the public.

Anas al-Saleh, outgoing minister of state for Cabinet affairs, was appointed interior minister, the first time a non-ruling family member takes the job.

The new government includes three women, an increase from two in the previous Cabinet, including Mariam al-Aqueel in the key Finance Ministry.

Khaled al-Roudhan and Khaled al-Fadhel retained the portfolios of commerce and oil, respectively.

Kuwait is the only Gulf state with a fully elected Parliament that enjoys wide legislative powers and can vote ministers out of office.

The country has been shaken by political disputes between MPs and the ruling family-led government for over a decade, with parliament and cabinets dissolved several times.

A demonstration held outside parliament in early November over alleged rampant corruption was reminiscent of past crises that have marred political life in the country.

Kuwait is scheduled to elect a new Parliament in November next year and the new Cabinet will be required to resign in accordance with the constitution.


 
Readers Comments (0)
Add your comment

Enter the security code below*

 Can't read this? Try Another.
 
Related News
Kuwait and the UAE in economic pain amid pandemic
Kuwait welcomes US bid to end Arab-Israeli conflict
Kuwait PM declines reappointment, emir removes senior ministers
Kuwait government resigns: spokesman
Kuwaitis protest: New political crisis on the horizon?
Related Articles
The entangled politics of Kuwait’s bidoon issue
Opposition gains shift Kuwait’s balance of power
Kuwait’s government achieves its goal
Kuwait citizen agitation is worth watching
What’s next after Kuwait’s elections?
Copyright 2024 . All rights reserved